|
Abstract
|
Hyperactive and impulsive youth, especially those exhibiting antisocial behaviors are at significant risk for criminal offences. In the last decade many studies have tried to define the neural correlates of delinquency, particularly changes in QEEG and executive dysfunctions in juvenile offenders (JO) and ADHD.
Objective: The current investigation compares the QEEG absolute and relative power spectra measures of JO to a non-violent ADHD group and a group of healthy controls. Also, the aim of the present study was to investigate possible deficits in executive functioning among JO, ADHD and normal controls in our sample.
Methods: Studied sample included JO group (n=23), ADHD adolescents group (n=26) and third control group (n=24). All participants were male and were matched by age (mean age 17.48, SD 2.10). The resting EEG activity in eyes open condition for the four EEG spectral bands (delta, theta, alpha and beta) was evaluated in examined groups. The Visual and Emotional Continuous Performance Tests as modifications of GO/NOGO paradigm were applied in order to obtain cognitive ERPs as indexes of executive functions. Beside behavioral parameters of test performance, amplitude and latency of several cognitive ERPs (P3supF, P3bP, P4monCC, P4vmF, vcomTL and vcomTR) reflecting different stages of information processing were explored.
Results: The widespread presence through the cortex of absolute slow wave brain activity (delta-theta) and decrease of beta frontal activity and alpha power was obtained for JO group. Significant lower amplitude of P3supF component was obtained in JO compared to ADHD and normal group. Also, lower amplitudes of P4monCC, P3bP and P4wmF components were found for both JO and ADHD groups, with pronounced lower values in JO. Behavioral parameters showed significantly increased number of omission and commission errors in JO and ADHD groups.
Conclusions: These results are in favor with the neurobiological impairment of the executive functions in JO and ADHD, presented with impulsive responding (due to reduced motor inhibition component), not learning from the consequences (due to lower self-monitoring component) and prevailing inattention problems (lower action initiation and working memory components). Thus, analysis of EEG and ERPs might provide a new approach for additional objective diagnosis and ongoing interventions for improving behavioral and emotional control for JO and ADHD in order to try to reduce the risk of offending.
|
